Emailed to TriMet equity director, September 20, 2023

To the Equity Director of TriMet,

My name is Dr. Randall Blazak. I represent the many community partners who are a part of Oregon’s Coalition Against Hate Crimes (CAHC). The CAHC was formed in Portland in 1997 to open channels of communication between community groups and government agencies, including law enforcement agencies, to better respond to hate and hate crimes in our various communities across the state. For 26 years, the CAHC has worked to build networks that allow us to both prevent hate crimes and best respond when bias crimes occur in our state.

We are writing concerning the attack at the Green Line Flavel Street Max Station on September 2, in which two African-American teenagers were stabbed, in what appears to be a bias-motivated assault. Fortunately, the teens survived the attack but the incident brings to mind the 2017 stabbing incident on the Max Green line by a racist that left two men dead and a third seriously injured.

We understand that the assailant is in custody and was charged with a felony bias crime. There is, however, a larger issue TriMet might use this opportunity to address. Hate crimes, by their nature, are intended to cause fear in wider communities. The September 2nd attack has served to add to the perception that certain communities are unsafe in the TriMet system and are more likely to be targeted because of their perceived race, religion, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or other marker of their group identity. Through our coalition, we have heard anecdotal stories of local residents who will no longer utilize Portland’s mass transit system for fear of unchecked harassment or becoming the victim of targeted violence.

In the wake of the 2017 Max attack, TriMet demonstrated great initiative in messaging the importance of inclusion and safety for all people in our local transit system. I was part of the steering committee that selected and orchestrated the Hollywood Max Station mural, which not only honored the victims of that horrible incident, but also celebrated the resiliency of the diverse communities that make Portland a city dedicated to growing from our dark history. In the wake of the 2017 incident, TriMet organized a series of events to reassure people in the region, especially in marginalized populations, that they are valued as riders and members of our larger community.

The horrible attack that occurred on September 2nd is a sad reminder that messaging that TriMet engaged in six years ago is still needed. The CAHC is requesting that your equity team use this moment to engage in the following actions:

  1. Promote a public safety program that informs TriMet riders and employees of protocols designed to ensure their safety when encountering bias-motivated threats or harassment. This could include increased security procedures or clear signage regarding how to alert drivers or other personnel when bias-motivated behavior is occurring.
  2. Clear messaging on TriMet platforms (physical and virtual), that TriMet values the lives of all people who live in the Portland metropolitan area and their utilization of our mass transit system makes the region more livable, viable, and enjoyable. This could include educational efforts to highlight the great contributions of members of underserved communities.
  3. Resources devoted to underserved communities that both meet local needs and promote the environmental and cultural value of utilizing mass transit. This could include expanding TriMet’s Reduced Fare Partner Organizations program or playing a more active role in the areas efforts to house low income residents.

For too many residents, this recent racist attack is a reflection of historic values that devalue the lives of those that are not in the majority. We would like to encourage the leadership at TriMet to use this moment to send a counter message, that the lives of everyone in our community are valued and will be protected. We are happy to offer our vast network of resources in support.

Randall Blazak

Chair, Coalition Against Hate Crimes